RR vs SRH: Can Rajasthan overcome the Warner-Bairstow hurdle?

Here is the predicted XI for match 25 of Indian Premier League (IPL), SRH vs RR
Sunrisers Hyderabad face off against the Rajasthan Royals in the 26th match of IPL 2020 at Dubai
Sunrisers Hyderabad face off against the Rajasthan Royals in the 26th match of IPL 2020 at DubaiImage source: Twitter

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have had contrasting fates so far in the tournament. RR, after a spectacular start to the tournament with two wins, went on to lose their next four, whereas, SRH, after two losses in their first two games, won three of the next four games.

Troubles are aplenty for the Royals with their batsmen not being able to replicate their success from the first two games, and their bowlers being off colour for the most part of the season. Their batsmen have been guilty of playing rash shots and not taking their time to settle in the middle.

One thing that would boost the Royals’ setup is the availability of Ben Stokes whose quarantine ended yesterday. Skipper Steve Smith was not entirely sure that Stokes would play so soon after the end of his quarantine, but it is a gamble they might be willing to take, owing to their current form. It would also be tough luck for Tom Curran, who has done fairly well so far for the Royals.

SRH would be a happy side as the David Warner-Jonny Bairstow combo has returned to its old self, and hence the team its winning ways. Bairstow has been in such pristine form that someone like David Warner has had to play the second fiddle.

The youngsters in Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad and Abhishek Sharma have risen up to the occasion and did well for the team.

Bowling was never a concern for SRH. Bhuvi’s injury could have been a potential danger for them, but T Natarajan has turned up as an unlikely hero of the season. His yorkers at the death have troubled the opposition batters. Nothing much needs to be said about Rashid Khan and his skills with the ball in hand. In Sandeep Sharma, they have always had a capable replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Likely 11s:

SRH: David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed

RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (WK), Steve Smith (C), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Aaron/Jaydev Unadkat

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